PM’s lawyer confident of her innocence in rice graft charges

BANGKOK, 28 February 2014 Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s lawyer has expressed confidence that the premier will be cleared of corruption charges relating to the government's rice-pledging scheme.

Two lawyers acting on behalf of Prime Minister Yingluck reported to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday to acknowledge charges on behalf of the Premier, who was on the second leg of an official trip to the North.

Norawich Lalaeng, one of the lawyers, said the legal team had been authorized to hear the NACC's charges on her behalf and to testify or submit a statement and evidence in her defence.

According to him, the team is confident that participating farmers have benefited from the program and that their depositions will clear her name.

He elaborated that the team would be able to produce a rebuttal to the charges within 15 days.

Ms Yingluck could face impeachment by the Senate, or even criminal charges, if the NACC rules against her. A final decision is expected in a few weeks.